how long will bullets stay good if kept in an ammo box?

Answer 1

Cool and dry and oil free? Write them into your will and pass them on to your grandkids ;)

Answer 2

A loaded weapon and it's ammo should never be left in the car long term. It is possible thru heating and cooling for condensation to develop not only in the casings, which would foul the powder; but also on the gun, causing premature oxidation. I do not believe that the cartridges will be affected to the point of not firing but it could change the amount/speed of powder burned which would cause differences in point of impact or worse, a round that doesn't exit the barrel followed by a 2nd shot at full power (Ka-Boom - you're hurt or dead). In times of extreme temperature changes, store the weapon and ammo inside when you are at home and take it with you when you go out. Keep loose ammo in magazines or speedloaders or half-moon clips in cases of revolvers for easy handling and storage. I would change out the ammo every few months or at the end of each season. Take the weapon to the range and get in practice with it anyway followed by a good cleaning, lubrication, and ammo change. Be safe, not sorry.

Answer 3

One of the requirements for military ammo in the UK is that it has a shelf life of 30 years. Having fired some military 303 dated 1932 recently that was exceptionally accurate it looks as though they have it right. I have had Russian made ammo corrode through the case from the inside though, obviously a powder acidity problem.

Answer 4

In may if bought a 45 auto that had been put in a desk drawer in 1919 when the owner returned from the war in france. His son sold it to me and I checked out the action and thought I would see if it fired. Worked fine; all seven rounds fired and ejected. This indicates that modern smokeless shells last at least 89 years and that magazine springs don't lose too much tension if kept depressed for 89 years.

Answer 5

I bought a M-10 made in 1985 and it came with a case of bullets. Each bullet was stamped 1985, they were bought with the gun.

Everyone went off just fine.

Answer 6

Beats me, we never have any stay around long enough to tell. Ammo is for shooting not storing.
But the others have given you correct answers so I just will add my 2 cents
Sarge

Answer 7

If you store it in military ammo cans and keep it away from intense heat, INDEFINITELY. I still shoot reload which I loaded some 15-20 years ago. I have some factorty rounds which are older than that, and they all work OK.

Answer 8

im only 16 but my father had some ammo that he had for about 30 years and they shoot fine but there about a few inches off a newer version of the exact same shot

Answer 9

I have surplus ammo from WWII that I shoot alll the time. Like somebody said earlier, cool and dry is the key

Answer 10

We just shot some .45 ACP today that was from 1943. 100 round and they all went POP.

Answer 11

Yep, like the others have said, they will last a lifetime as long as they stay dry and not get corroded.